Shaving brush having heating means for lather

ABSTRACT

A shaving brush comprises a handle and bristles extending from the handle in an annular array to provide a cylindrical barrel for receiving shaving lather directly from an aerosol container. The shaving lather receiving barrel extends full depth and is therefore adapted to receive a relatively large quantity of lather, and the bristles are arranged in tufts to provide apertures at the lower end of the barrel adjacent the handle which permit thorough rinsing of the brush following each use. In one embodiment of the invention an electric heating apparatus is mounted in the handle and extends into the shaving lather receiving barrel for actuation to heat shaving lather deposited therein.

United States Patent 1191 Mahoney 1 SHAVING BRUSH HAVING HEATING MEANS FOR LATHER [76] Inventor: Edwin L. Mahoney, 2843 W. 1 Brooklyn, Dallas, Tex. 75211 22 Filed: Apr.3, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 240,421

521 u.s.c1 ..l5/l60,219/2l4,40 l/1 51 1111.01 A461) 11/08 58 FieldofSearch 15/104.94, 159 R, 160',

15/180, 191, 191 A, 194, 195, 202,204,248. R, 28, 110; 132/80 R, 80 A, 81; 401/1, 2, 19,

1451 July 9, 1974- 5/1890 Great Britain 401/268 7,614 566,184 11/1923 France, 71 1,330 9/1944 Germany 15/160 Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum A- shaving brush comprises a handle .and bristles extending from the handle in an annular array to provide a'cylindrical barrel for receiving shaving lather directly from an aerosol container. The shaving lather receiving barrel extends full depth and is therefore "adapted to receive a relatively large quantity of lather, I and the bristles are arranged in tufts to provide apertures at the lower end of the barrel adjacent the handle which permit thorough rinsing of the brush following each use. In one embodiment of the invention an electric heating apparatus is mounted in the handle and extends into the shaving lather receiving barrel for actuation to heat shaving lather deposited therein.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 133,347 11/1872 Abbott 15/204" 421,812 2/1890 Bonner 15/191 R 1,244,132. 10/1917 Ring 15/204 UX 2,186,005 I 1/1940 Casto 15/167 R 2,358,252 9/1944 Rowan 132/80 R 3,355,755 12/1967 Brooks 15/105 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 715,632 9/1954 Great Britain 15/160 SHAVING BRUSH HAVING HEATING MEANS FOR LATHER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to shaving brushes, and more particularly to a novel shaving brush adapted to receive shaving lather directly from an aerosol container or similar source.

Over the centuries the art of shaving has seen-many advances. Thus, in pre-historic times crude cutting tools made from stone were used. Later, metal shaving instruments of various shapes were experimented with until a particular design known as the straight razor was arrived at. The straight razor remained in vogue for many years but was ultimately replaced by the safety razor. Most recently a variety of different razor designs have been introduced, including cartridge'types, multiple bladed types, etc.

One requirementcommon to all of the various bladetype razors is the necessity of lathering prior to shaving. During the period of time that the straight razor was in use itwas common to use shaving soap in the form of a solid block. The soap was worked into a lather by the means of a shaving brush, and the brush was then used to apply the lather to the face or other areato be shaved. One advantage to the use of a shaving brush and a solid block of shaving soap to produce shaving lather was that by pre-rinsing the brush. with hot water it was possible to produce relatively hot shaving lather.

In the past 25 years the use of a shaving brush and a solid block of shaving soap to make shaving lather has largely been replaced by various instant systems for generating shaving lather. Perhaps the most commonly used system of this type comprises an aerosol container filled with shaving lather. Such apparatus is highly convenient in that it is actuated by merely depressing a button on the top of the container, whereupon the desired amount of shaving lather is immediately dispensed.

It is also known to provide an aerosol container with structure for heating shaving lather as it is dispensed. Typically this comprises a coiled tube extending from the supply of shaving lather to a discharge spout. The tube is arranged for contact by hot water which heats the tube and thereby heats the shaving lather as it is dispensed through the tube.

Notwithstanding the relative advantages to the use of aerosol containers for dispensing shaving lather, there are still certain disadvantages that are often encountered in their use. Thus, it has heretofore been neces sary to discharge shaving lather from an aerosol container onto the fingers and then use the fingers to apply the lather to the face or other area to be shaved. Once the lather has been applied the hands must be rinsed thoroughly or else the lather may be transferred to the razor, etc. However, any delay that is experienced in starting the shave is considered highly undesirable because the shaving lather begins to dry and the quality of the shave is therefore relatively poor.

The present invention relates to a novel shaving brush which overcomes the foregoing difficulties by receiving shaving lather directly from an aerosol container or similar source. It should be noted that brushes of this general type have been provided heretofore. However, certain of these devices are particularly designed for use in conjunction with shaving powder and donot have the capacity necessary to receive a sufficient supply of shaving lather from an aerosol dispenser for the complete lathering of the face or similar area; Others are designed to receive lather from an aerosol dispenser but incorporate such peculiar characteristics as to be unduly difficult to clean. This is considered to be highlyunsatisfactory, not only because the shaving brush becomes soiled and therefore unpleasing in appearance, but also because undue accumulations of dry shaving lather and the like tend to promote the growth of bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms. v I

More particularly, the present invention comprises a novel shaving brush including a handle having a base adapted for support on a flat surface and a plurality of bristles mounted in the opposite end of the brush and extending therefrom in a circular array. By this means there is provided an annular barrel or cavity extending from the handle to the distal end of the bristles which is adapted to receive shaving lather directly from an aerosol container or other lather dispensing system. The bristles are preferably arranged in tufts so as to provide apertures which permit thorough cleaning of the brush following each use.

The invention further contemplates electric heating apparatus mounted in the handle and extending into the shaving lather receiving barrel. The heating apparatus functions to heat shaving lather received in the barrel from an aerosol container or other lather dispensing system to approximately 140 prior to application of the lather. In this-manner heated lather is provided without'the necessity of incorporating lather heating structure into the lather dispensing system. The heating structure is preferably actuated by l-l0 volt, Hertz line current which is received inthe brush through a connector projecting laterally therefrom. By this means the brush is adapted for support on the base of the handle notwithstanding the fact that the, brush is connected to a source of electric current.

DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWINGS A more. complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to. the following detailed description when taken in conjunction 'with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

F IG; 1 is a sectional view illustrating a shaving brush incorporating a first embodiment; I

FIG. 2 is a top view of the shaving brush shown in FIG. 1;

F [0.3 is a sectional view illustrating a shaving brush incorporating the preferred embodiment of the invention; and l FIG. 4 is an illustration of the use of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS.v l and 2, there is shown a shaving brush 10 comprising a first embodiment. The shaving brush 10 includes a handle 12 which may be formed from plastic or any of the various other materials that are commonly employed in brush manufacture. The handle 12 is cylindrical in shape and includesa flat base 14. By this materials which are commonly employed in brush manufacture, and are secured in the handle 12 by conventional techniques, for example, by molding the handle 12 around the ends of the bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged in tufts 20 so as to provide apertures 22 adjacent the end 18 of the handle 12. However, the distal ends of the bristles are preferably divergent so as to provide a continuous annular array of bristles suitable for applying shaving lather to the face or other area to be shaved.

The tufts 20 comprising, the bristles 16 are arranged in a circle extending around the rim of the handle 12. By this means the bristles 16 of the shaving brush form a cylindrical barrel 24 which is adapted to receive shaving lather directly from an aerosol container or similar source. It should be noted that the barrel 24 extends full depth, i.e.,from the distal ends of the bristles 16 to the surface 18 of the handle 12. By this means the barrel 24 has sufficient capacity to receive a quantity of shaving lather adequate to cover the entire face or similar area. i

The use of the invention is illustratedin FIG. 4. The shaving brush 10 is held in one hand, or is positioned with the base 14 of the handle 12 engaging a flat surface so that the bristles 16 extend upright. Then an aerosol container orsimilar source of shaving lather is actuated to dispense shaving lather into the barrel 24 of the brush 10. When the barrel 24 is full, the handle 12 of the shaving brush 10 is gripped with the fingers and the brush 10 is used to apply the shaving lather to the face, etc.

The brush 10 is then rinsed to remove any excess shaving lather therefrom. During the rinsing the open nature of the barrel 24 and the apertures 22 between the tufts 20 comprising the bristles l6 cooperate to assure thorough and complete rinsing of the brush. This assumes that no lather remains on the brush to become bristles 36 which project from the end 38 of the handle 32 remote from the base 34.

The brush 30 is similar to the brush 10 in that the bristles 36 are arranged in tufts 40. The tufts 40 are secured in the handle 32 in an annular array so as to pro-- vide a plurality of apertures 42 between adjacent tufts 40. However, the ends of the bristles 36 remote from the handle 32 diverge to form a continuous annular array of bristles which is adapted to apply shaving lather to the area to be shaved.

The annular positioning of the tufts 40 comprising the bristles 36 of the shaving brush 30 forms a barrel 44 adapted to receive shaving, lather directly from an aerosol container or other source. The barrel 44 extends full depth, i.e., the entire distance between the distal ends of the bristles 36 and the end 38 of the handle 32. By this means the barrel 44 has sufficient capaclized in the shaving brush 30 to heat shaving lather in the barrel 44. The shaving lather heating apparatus 46 comprises a metal cylinder 48 which is mounted in the handle 32 of the shaving brush 30 and which includes a domed portion 50. The cylinder 48 is fixedly mounted in the handle 32 such as by molding the material of the handle around the cylinder, and in turn receives a heating coil 52 formed from Nichrome wire or similar heating resistance material. The coil 52 is insulated from the handle 72 by a layer of thermal insulation 53. A pair of contact pins 54 are also fixedly mounted in the handle 32 and are electrically connected to the coil 52 by means of a pair of leads 56.

The shaving brush 30 further includes a power cord 58 including a conventional male plug 60 adapted for connection to an electrical convenience outlet and a female plug 62 adapted to mate with the contact pins 54. The particular power cord illustrated in the drawings incorporates an off/on switch 64.whereby the shaving brush 30 may remain connected to a convenience outlet even during periods of non-use. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the off/on switch 64 may be dispensed with, if desired. Alternatively, the power cord for the shaving brush 30 may be equipped with thermostatic means for controlling the operation of the heating coil.

The shaving brush 30 is utilized similarly to the shaving brush 10. Initially the plug 60 of the power cord 58 is connected to a convenience outlet, and the switch 64 is actuated to the on state. This causes the heating coil 52 to heat the metal cylinder 48 and particularly the domed portion 50 thereof. The brush 30 is then held in one hand or is supported by engagement of the base 34 with a surface and an aerosol container or other source of shaving lather is actuated to dispense shaving lather into the barrel 44.

Upon contact with the domed portion 50 of the metal cylinder 48, the shaving lather in the barrel 44 is heated. The heating coil and the metal cylinder are preferably so constructed that the shaving lather is heated to a temperature of about The shaving brush 30 is then utilized to apply the hot shaving lather to the face, etc. As has been indicated previously, the barrel 44 has sufficient capacity that it is unnecessary to refill the barrel 44 in order to achieve complete lathermg.

After all the shaving lather from the barrel 44 has been'applied, the power cord 58 is disconnected and the shaving brush 30 is rinsed. The open construction of the barrel 44 and the apertures 42 between the tufts 40 comprising the bristles 36 cooperate to permit complete rinsing of the brush. It should be noted that since the contact pins 54 and the metal cylinder 48 are molded into the handle 32 of the brush, rinsing of the brush 30 does not disturb the electrical components thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the present invention comprises a shaving brush which is adapted to receive shaving lather directly from an aerosol container or similar source. The use of the invention is advantageous in that shaving brushes constructed in accordance with the invention have sufiicient capacity to receive adequate shaving lather to cover the entire face or other area to be shaved. Also, shaving brushes incorporating the invention are so constructed that they may be thoroughly rinsed after each use, whereby unsightly and potentially dangerous accumulations of excess shaving lather are completely eliminated. The second embodiment of the invention is further advantageous in that'structure is provided for heating shaving lather that is received in the barrel of the brush. By this means the necessity of providing lather heating apparatus on each aerosol container is eliminated.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed'is:

1. A shaving brush comprising:

a cylindrical handle including a substantially flat base 7 for engagement with a surface to maintain the brush in an upright orientation;

a plurality of bristles secured in'the handle and extending from the end of the handle opposite the base in an annular array to form'a cylindrical barrel for receiving shaving lather directly from a source thereof;

said shaving lather receiving barrel extending full depth from the handle to the distal ends of the bristles,

said bristles being arranged in tufts to provide rinsing apertures at the bottom end of the lather receiving barrel adjacent the handle and diverging from the tufts into a continuous annular array at their distal ends; and

electric heating means mounted in the handle and extending'into the lather receiving barrel for heating shaving lather therein.

2. A shaving brush-comprising:

a cylindrical handle;

a plurality of bristles secured in the handle and extending therefrom in an annular array to providea cylindrical barrel for receiving shaving lather directly from a source thereof; and

electric heating means mounted in the handle and extending into the shaving lather receiving barrel for heating shaving lather received therein;

said shaving lather receiving barrel extending full depth from the handle to the distal ends of the bristles and therefore adapted to receive a relatively large quantity of shaving lather.

3. The shaving brush according to claim 2 wherein the bristles are secured in the handle in the form of a plurality of tufts to provide apertures at the lower ends of the shaving lather receiving barrel adjacent the handle which permits thorough rinsing of the shaving brush following each use and diverge from the tufts to form a continuous annulus of bristles at their distal ends.

4. The shaving brush according to claim 2 wherein the electric heating means is molded into the handle to permit thorough rinsing of the shaving brush while preventing damage to the electric heating means by exposure to water.

5. The shaving brush according to claim 4 wherein the electric heating means comprises:

a thermally conductive cylinder molded into the handle and extending therefrom into: the shaving lather receiving barrel;

a resistance heating element mounted within the thennally conductive cylinder; and

means for connecting the resistance heating element to an electrical convenienceoutlct.

6. The shaving brush according to claim 5 wherein the means for connecting the resistance heating element to an electrical convenience outlet comprises:

contact pins molded into the handle; and

a power cord including a female plug for connection to the contact pins of the handle and a male plug for connection to'an electrical convenience outlet,

element of the shaving brush. 

1. A shaving brush comprising: a cylindrical handle including a substantially flat base for engagement with a surface to maintain the brush in an upright orientation; a plurality of bristles secured in the handle and extendinG from the end of the handle opposite the base in an annular array to form a cylindrical barrel for receiving shaving lather directly from a source thereof; said shaving lather receiving barrel extending full depth from the handle to the distal ends of the bristles, said bristles being arranged in tufts to provide rinsing apertures at the bottom end of the lather receiving barrel adjacent the handle and diverging from the tufts into a continuous annular array at their distal ends; and electric heating means mounted in the handle and extending into the lather receiving barrel for heating shaving lather therein.
 2. A shaving brush comprising: a cylindrical handle; a plurality of bristles secured in the handle and extending therefrom in an annular array to provide a cylindrical barrel for receiving shaving lather directly from a source thereof; and electric heating means mounted in the handle and extending into the shaving lather receiving barrel for heating shaving lather received therein; said shaving lather receiving barrel extending full depth from the handle to the distal ends of the bristles and therefore adapted to receive a relatively large quantity of shaving lather.
 3. The shaving brush according to claim 2 wherein the bristles are secured in the handle in the form of a plurality of tufts to provide apertures at the lower ends of the shaving lather receiving barrel adjacent the handle which permits thorough rinsing of the shaving brush following each use and diverge from the tufts to form a continuous annulus of bristles at their distal ends.
 4. The shaving brush according to claim 2 wherein the electric heating means is molded into the handle to permit thorough rinsing of the shaving brush while preventing damage to the electric heating means by exposure to water.
 5. The shaving brush according to claim 4 wherein the electric heating means comprises: a thermally conductive cylinder molded into the handle and extending therefrom into the shaving lather receiving barrel; a resistance heating element mounted within the thermally conductive cylinder; and means for connecting the resistance heating element to an electrical convenience outlet.
 6. The shaving brush according to claim 5 wherein the means for connecting the resistance heating element to an electrical convenience outlet comprises: contact pins molded into the handle; and a power cord including a female plug for connection to the contact pins of the handle and a male plug for connection to an electrical convenience outlet, said power cord further comprising control means for governing the operation of the resistance heating element of the shaving brush. 